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TO:

Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council

FROM:

Ray Maurer, Parks Director

DATE:

January 28, 2025

SUBJECT:

Res 25-45 Approve Revenue Facilities Operating Budget Amendment for Menominee Park Amusement Train Operation Repairs ($50,000)

BACKGROUND

The adopted 2025 Parks Revenue Facilities Fund budget did not include an operating budget for the amusement ride area at Menominee Park. The amusement area has been challenged with staffing issues and operational expense increases the past few years. The Parks Revenue Facilities Fund has a goal of revenues exceeding expenditures to maintain operations and a positive fund balance.

Since 2019, staff has modified operating dates, hours and staffing levels in attempts to maintain a positive fund balance. In 2019, the area was open 7 days a week from 11am to 7pm. In 2021, the area was open 4 days a week from 11am to 7pm. In 2022 and 2023, the area was open 3 days a week from 1pm to 7pm. Due to the Pratt Trail road reconstruction, the area was closed in 2024. Additionally, Parks Department special events such as Brews on the Bay and Bubble Bonanza were scheduled near the amusements area in an attempt to increase ridership and exposure for the rides.

At the October 14, 2024 Advisory Park Board meeting, discussion took place about discontinuation of the amusement area for the above reasons. Advisory Park Board members admittedly had a difficult time coming to the consensus that the amusement ride area should be discontinued. At the October 28, 2024 Common Council budget workshop, Council members had this same difficult discussion and ultimately it was decided not to include the amusement ride area in the 2025 budget.

ANALYSIS

With the recent media reports of the discontinuation of the amusement area, the public has expressed an interest in the continuation of the amusement area while emphasizing a variety of public/private opportunities to assist with amusement ride operations and improvements. City staff has had many recent discussions with potential partners and Common Council members interested in continuing the amusement area if sustainable public/private partnerships are developed. Discussions have included the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation staff and a fund is established there for interested individuals to contribute to the amusement ride operations and improvements.

To encourage these continued conversations about partnerships, city staff is requesting that the Common Council approve a Parks Revenue Facilities Fund budget amendment to include $50,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) interest earnings. These funds would be utilized to begin to make the necessary repairs and improvements to the amusement ride area to allow for operations in 2025.

The recruitment of seasonal, part-time staff to operate the amusement area would begin immediately as staffing for this service has been challenging the past number of years.

FISCAL IMPACT

The immediate fiscal impact is $50,000 with funds to be transferred from A/N 02240610-7470 ARPA Interest Earnings to A/N 02550610-5299-11423 Transfer from Other Funds. This will provide funding in A/N 02550610-6417 ($4,000) and A/N 02550610-6529 Non-Inventory Supplies ($46,000) to allow staff to begin ordering necessary materials and supplies. At an upcoming Common Council meeting, a separate budget amendment will be requested to establish a full operating budget for the amusement ride area in 2025.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that Council approve this resolution.

Attachments

RES 25-45